Didn't know you liked SCD Norfolk, join us SCD fans here next Saturday evening for the final.

 I might do that if I'm around - thanks

You're welcome.

Think the results were most definitely justified
Ali is wonderfully elegant at the ballroom dances, but really is quite frigid with the latin dances, whereas Chris, goes out and gives it his all, he's not technically perfect, but he's far more enjoyable to watch than Ali

I whooped for joy at Ricky & Chris going through

Felt very sorry for Ali and Brian.They were gutted. To be honest I don't like either of the finalists and have lost interest this series, Tom Chambers winning last year kind of turned me off the programme and appointing Alesha Dixon hasn't helped either.
Having said that I will tune in but haven't a clue who will win.

Oh yes I was gutted Zoe didn't win too! At least it was a 3 person Final so she got to it! I always wanted Alesha to win tho!

I have to admit, I did shed a tear for Brian and Ali.  I would have loved an Ali/Chris Final.  I don't like Ricky, yes I know he's a perfect dancer etc etc, but he just bores me.  I like the John Sargeants, the Darren Goughs and the Chris Hollinses   It's a saturday night tv show and I like to be entertained.  I love to see good ballroom dancing too, but I'm sick of judges and other Strictly snobs moaning about how the picture perfect dancers aren't popular to the public. 

I love the 'journey' stories...like Gough who was ridiculed in the beginning and went on to win.  Alesha I don't think has a particularly blinding personality, but on the other side she was absolutely beautiful to watch.  I don't get that with Ricky Whittle.  He's drab and boring.

I would have preferred to see Ali in the final with him, though she is a bit nerve wracking to watch, but all in all I'm glad Chris and Ola are there.  Imagine the snooze fest if it had been Ali and Ricky

Alesha's really bubbly,outgoing and fun that was what endeared many to her on the journey to winning.


Same thing happened with Ramps he was quiet but he had a great personality also despite being able to be a really good dancer.



I too watch SCD for entertainment but Ricky has it all for me, think yesterday would have won some new people over but i'm happy he will finish runner up just as long as I get to see that Showdance.

I'm gutted Ali went, liked all 3 but I would have loved an Ali/Ricky final but Chris is so much fun obvious he would make it and will deserve to win.


Her AT left me a bit cold, still a good performance.

he was HOT HOT HOT and the best male so far

Ricky and Natalie in the final, I can't stop smiling today. I'm still in shock after being convinced all week he was going and when he was announced first I cheered so loud.


The main shock was Ali going and Ricky going through because like me most were convinced it would be an Ali/Chris final just goes to show how fickle we the public are.





Team COLA deserve to make it and they will win.

Definetly with for me Matt Di Angelo a close second.

Ramps was the best male so far, he was hot on that floor and danced my favourite ever SCD dance - the Argentine Tango, that was unbelieveable.

Aleisha was the best female, but I also always really liked watching Zoe Ball and was gutted when she left the competition, but Aleisha was so full of personality and could dance so well.

Watched Darcey's jive last night again on i player and how fantastic was it!!  I loved the look of pride on Craig's face when the judges gave a standing ovation to her.  Also noted that she did the ballet movements (including going on pointe) in high heeled shoes, she must have ankles of steel!!

I would have loved to see Zoe dance, apparently her Samba was the best out of all the series which is great considering most celebs have struggled with it. She finished third in her series and should have won from what i've read but Colin and Darren got the votes fair and square.



Darcey was great, I like her and I really don't think her being there put Alesha's nose out of joint as Alesha was aware from the moment they appeared on the second episode of ITT with Craig laughing and joking with each other that Darcey would be joining from the QF stage and from what i've seen on the show and VT footage they get on fine. They all have their own judging styles just like we like to play the judge.


Think I prefer Darcey to Arlene.

Darcey was fab - first thing I did was look to see what shoes she was wearing

would be nice to see all the judges do something during the series

A judges dance would be great, however I loved Craig singing on ITT before.

my all time favourite and well deserved winning couple

                        

A dream dance for me would to see Mark and Alesha dance together, would never ever happen.


I would pair up Louisa Lytton with Matt Di Angelo also.

I can't believe Ali & Brian are out.

What is going on?, It's becoming a joke now isn't it.

Ali gets 50 out of 50 and it counts for nothing.

It's obviously no longer a Dance contest, just a popularity contest.

It seems that this is the way all reality shows are going.
Your face has to fit, nothing to do with the skills of the contest anymore.

There have been rumours that Craig would dance this series, maybe him and Aleisha will do a dance next week, shame I will have to watch it on iplayer as I'm going out to a carol concert.

Craig did say he hoped all the judges would do a dance PB, they probably won't let them.

Hicky I am going to say this and please don't take offence.

Yes it is a dancing competition and it was sad to see Ali leave last night after getting a top score, she wasn't my favourite as I think she was good at ballroom but not so good at Latin, and her personality just did not come across to the audience, but on many, many occasions I have read posts by you that you only vote for the girls, regardless of whether a male dancer/contestant is better or nicer or more popular, so you are negating your argument that way.  Some could say that is just as shallow as voting for the one who makes you laugh, entertains or goes on the overused word "journey".

A lot of people just couldn't connect with Ali's dancing in the same way as they could with Chris, yes he is not technically as good a dancer as Ali and Ricky, but he has bags of personality and enjoys dancing, this comes across when he dances, I don't particularly like Ricky, last night again, he danced beautifully, but left me cold. I don't think it is a case of "face fitting", I think, had Ali gone out there just once, and really let herself go and got into the spirit of the dance, she would have been much more popular, techincally she was good and the judges saw this, but she had not got the sparkle of say an Aliesha or Jill or Zoe Ball, they had something just a little extra, all really good dancers, but could also take you into what they were doing, Ali is an actress so I would have expected her to have acted the dances better, but to me some weeks it was like she wasn't there almost.

The public also like a person who is trying to improve, Chris has been the one this year that has done that, like him or dislike him, he does try out on that floor, listens to what the judges say to him and comes back and improves.

She was great Darlo. I have looked on youtube but for some reason her dances aren't there - only ones she's done on the Tour which are poor quality. Her Tango was brilliant too.

Hi Pinkbabe. ..........

I certainly won't take any offence from what you say.
Your views are always welcome.
I don't vote for fellers in a lot of the competitions because they do nothing for me, same with the singing, I get a tear in my eye when certain females sing, but male singers do nothing for me whoever they are.

Ali was a good dancer, she had nerves which she had to conquer and injuries but I wanted to see her in the final 2, Chris and Ricky do nothing for me so I won't be voting for them.

I found the opposite....on the dancefloor she was amazing...off it I found her loud and classless.  She was the most deserving winner for sure, but I certainly preferred it when she wasn't talking

That's exactly my feeling on it

erm I dunno what happened there...i didn't mean to quote so much

One person's "entertaining" is another person's "dull".
It's all subjective personal opinion.
I thought Ali and Brian were the best dancers throughout the competition and because of that, they entertained me most.
But some people vote on physical appearance, strange habits, hair-styles, a celebrities day job, press gossip, make-up.....
We are not all voting based on the same criteria.
I might say "I thought XXXX was the best dancer" while someone might reply "..but he has a strange laugh."
It's all very odd!

There will be more moaning about Ricky next week and I don't care because he is in the final and will be runner up.

I loved that about her, obviously everyone can't be quiet. Although point taken some people get annoyed by people who are loud.

Some people just like characteristics others don't....tis no big deal

Just go back and edit your post.
It's open for edit at anytime you know, no time limit.

I really hope that Chris and Ola win.  I believe they can because Chris is more popular with the public than Ricky (at least that's the way I see it).

You may be right joyron.
Chris is by far the most popular, think the dancing part of the contest has gone out of the window now.

It's down to votes and bums on seats now.

Ricky is by far the best dancer they have ever had, he is more like a pro than a rookie.

But the public are a strange lot when it comes to voting in reality shows as we know.

Ian Waite was on BBC breakfast show this Morning with Chris - he said the professionals all see Ricky as the best male dancer strictly has had - poor Chris is very embarrassed for having won the vote over Ali - everyone trying to boost him for Sat . Charleston was mentioned as being the chosen dance for them - 4 dances this week  - Ian and Darcy learnt their routine in just 7 hours - Ian also commented that until after he and Jade left the competition he hadnt realised how popular they were with the viewing public

I did like Jade, she was coming along fine, but these things happen, nothing you can do about it.

It's such hard luck on Ian though.

I would expect Chris to be a bit embarrased to see Ali go out after getting 50 out 0f 50, but it's not a dancing contest anymore, so I don't know what will happen now next year.

Once you move the goalposts it's open for critisism from all sides.

Can't see Celebs wanting to join anymore if you get kicked out when you are brill.

It's the John Sargent syndrone.

Strictly Come Dancing blog: Week thirteen

10:01am Monday 14th December 2009

The Semi Finals and week 13 but who would it be unlucky for? And with no dreaded dance-off for the judges to save their favourite it will all be down to the public vote!

Chris Hollins and Ola
RUMBA: One of the hardest Latin dances for a male celebrity to perform, and Chris performed every second. Rumba is the dance of love and they held the audience throughout. A little more content would have upped his scores with the judges, and Craig’s comments about his hands was uncalled for. Chris is the most improved and the most determined male celebrity over the whole series.

ARGENTINE TANGO: I much preferred Chris and Ola’s Argentine than Ali and Brian’s this week. He had more passion, rhythm and intricate footwork, the control he executed on the lifts was amazing, along with the choreography. Like in the Rumba, the emotion between these two dancing is magical. I wish them all the luck for next weeks final, and I hope he gets the chance to dance the Charleston routine again as it has been his best dance to date.

Ali Bastian and Brian
ARGENTINE TANGO: For me their routine was a bit of a let down. There was very little styling, no staccato and no passion; the three things that make an Argentine. There were however some very nice, well-executed tricks but the rest of the routine was flat. I was very disappointed and certainly not deserving of a nine as awarded by Len and Bruno. This could have cost her the final.

AMERICAN SMOOTH: Ali looks so at home dancing the smooth, and this routine was no different. It was amazing; absolutely beautifully performed with superb choreography, perfect lines and being the only couple to score a perfect full house from the judges all series. I thought that this routine had just saved them and secured them a place in the final! But even I am wrong, obviously sometimes. Well danced Ali! I hope she continue her new dancing career.

Ricky Whittle and Natalie
WALTZ: The easiest of the Ballroom dances to perform. Ricky’s top line and body contact were fabulous. However his footwork and his turns are still very uncontrolled. Maybe the judges could see something more than I could as they were all completely over the top, but then their scores did not match their comments.

ARGENTINE TANGO: Easily the best Argentine of the night. Amazing passion, amazing intricate step patterns, amazing choreography and amazing performance. There were two little slips from Ricky which is what cost him a few points but they were the only couple to receive a full standing ovation from the audience.

What a final it promises to be next week, but who is your favourite to win: Chris and Ola, or Ricky and Natalie?

arlene: bastian was like a pomegranate






P.S Chris and Ola will win, they deserve to i'm just glad to see a couple of more dances out of Ricky and the Showdance.

I actually agree with Craaig's comments about Chris's hands. His hands were like huge platters, fingers spread wide, looking ugly. Not a good look for dancing.

However, after being advised, Chris came out for his next dance - and did exactly the same platter-hands all over again!